Act 3: The Ball - Crisis

"Yes, of course."

"Then we'll get to it." Steve tips his hat in farewell and leads the others out of their audience with the former emperor of the Archipelago.

The adventurers exit the chamber and make their way back the corridor and down the stairs to the lobby. On their way there, they pass by a library turned into a war room, and catch a glimpse of Thirza and her second-in-command Marius. They and their direct subordinates are overseeing the the battle for the city, moving paperweights and trinkets over a map of Luxus, too focused on discussing strategies to notice the party members walking by them.

The adventurers reach the lobby and step out into the street, where they are greeted by the sight of Coins soldiers tying up the Vigilate guards who the Myrzen brought here. Immediately, Kaja waves at her allies and walks towards them.

"Hey there," she says in her thick accent. "We're almost finished here. Anything else you want us to do? We can still fight."

One look at the warriors' resolute eyes and their taut posture is enough to confirm this.

"Oh shit!" Amber suddenly exclaims. "You scared me!"

When the adventurers turn to look at her, they see Femke standing next to them, back in her usual attire.

"Hello," she says.

Kaja smiles.

"You'll be heading back to the ship soon, when we say so. For now just sit tight."

Kaja nods and joins the rest of the retinue.

"Hi Femke, good to see you," says Steve.

"It's good to see you're all safe," she replies in her almost monotone voice.

Konrad turns to look at Femke. "For now. I'm glad you made it with us." He smiles.

The corners of her mouth appear to curl up for just an instant. It's difficult to tell in this darkness.

"How did you even sneak up on us like that?" Amber asks.

"Very cautiously," Femke replies.

"I am. She's with the rest of the guests, in a manor a block away from here."

Steve says, "That's perfect then. Let's go say hello."

Just like the king promised, a Coins mercenary shows up to lead the adventurers to the manor and tell the men guarding the entrance to let them pass. Inside the luxurious estate, they discover that the guests have divided themselves into small groups and spread out across the numerous rooms, where they are recuperating from their recent ordeal. Not too many people are in the lobby, but those who are immediately recognize the adventurers and begin to gawk at them. Unaware of their reaction, the Coins mercenary takes his leave and returns to the previous estate while the party members are left on their own.

Fluffle glances at the people looking at them, then whispers to his friends, "So, should we look for anyone else other than Hortensia and Andrei?"

Steve follows along but keeps an eye out for those people Sean was at the party with.

Mihai and Steve enter the room to their left, which appears to be a well furnished lounge lit by many lamps, both normal and magical. At least two dozen people are here, either still reeling from their near-death experience, or huddled into small groups who are engaging in heated conversations. All of them look up to see who's entered the room however, and just like the people from the lobby, they recognize them immediately.

Andrei is among them, as is the Lord Carbuncle Florolf, the conqueror who has claimed the carpet upon which he's lying down, his paws kneading the threads with practiced ease.

One of the guests, a young man, speaks up.

"You're the ones who brought us out of the palace!" he exclaims in Chromium.

The others have already started whispering among themselves, and it won't be long before they direct their questions to the adventurers themselves.

Hortensia isn't here.

"Hey Andrei!" Steve waives to get his attention and motions him over.

Konrad pointedly ignores the crowd and follows the others. He turns toward Mihai's sister and asks, "Hey Amber, what are you planning to do with your reward, by the way?"

"Don't think we should talk about that here," Amber whispers back.

The young man doesn't even acknowledge Mihai's question.

"How did you do that?" he asks. "What was that other place!?"

Andrei looks at Steve, then watches as other people here in the room begin to either thank the adventurers for their valiant rescue, or bombard the adventurers with questions of their own. In any case, half of the people are have now surrounded the party members. Andrei motions for the carbuncle to follow—which he does—then exits the lounge and goes to the lobby.

Steve follows after Andrei and Florolf still hoping to ask his question.

"Well, if you want your own bathtub on the ship, just say the word." Konrad finally turns to members of the crowd to deny them any explanation. "Good people, we cannot adequately answer for how we did what we did. All we can say is that we were able to do it at a time when need was greatest. Now please, allow us some peace to speak to our friends."

Diplomacy 20